COLDWATER — For the past 14 years Skyler Anderson, 26 of Coldwater has been raising cattle, working on a farm and participating in cattle competitions.

In 2012 Anderson worked on a farm in Scotland caring for Highland cattle for three-and-a-half months.

Anderson's family owns Skye High Farms, located on Dayburg Road. The farm is famous for its Highland cattle, which the farm sells for breeding and beef purposes.

The breed originated in Scotland.

"We have about 45 cattle on our farm," Anderson said.

The farm, established in 1999 by Marion Belding and Jim and Skyler Anderson, utilizes both artificial insemination and embryo transfer techniques in addition to live cover breeding.

Anderson currently serves on the American Highland Cattle Association board of representatives as an elected Midwest regional representative.

"I am the 'color man' who announces the sale and introduces animals into the ring, pointing out pertinent pedigree information to potential buyers at the National Sale in Denver that follows the show," said Anderson.

Over the years, Skye High's cattle have won numerous top honors at local and national shows, most recently receiving top honors at the National Western Stock Show in Denver Colo.

"It's like the Super Bowl of cattle shows," Anderson said.

With 11 cattle in tow, Anderson and friend Pat White represented their farms at the show. There were approximately 130 Highland cattle exhibited with 45 farms being represented at the 2013 NWSS.

The cattle are judged on certain criteria, namely structure, growth and muscling. Skye High Farm's honors at NWSS included National Grand Champion Bull, National Reserve Grand Champion Female, National Get of Sire Champion (three head sired by the same bull), Champion Pair of Heifers and Champion Best Three Head.

"It was very exciting. We watched the show live online," Belding said.

In 2011 the farm was also awarded with National Grand Champion Bull. In addition, Anderson has shown the farm's cattle at the Northern American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky. Honors at the NAILE included first in division three Senior Heifer Calf, first and second in division five Jr. Yearling Heifer and second in division 11 Intermediate Yearling Bull.

More information about Skye High Farms can be found at www.skyehighfarms.com.